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Microplastics

Microplastics and Nanoplastics: How Small is Small?

Microplastics are small, but just how small? And how much smaller are nanoplastics? This lesson focuses on conceptualizing the scale of very small particles to understand how tiny microplastics and nanoplastics are and how scientists can study them.

Microplastics and Nanoplastics - Teacher Guide

Microplastics and Nanoplastics - Student Guide

The Problem With Microplastics

Microplastics are found in the air, water, living things, and in many of the products we use every day. Analyze simulated brain tissue to discover if microplastics can be found in the human body. Use a model of the human body to explain how microplastics enter the brain. Use evidence from research studies to explore the possible health risks of microplastics. Learn about factors that influence microplastic toxicity. 

The Problem With Microplastics - Teacher Guide
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The Problem With Microplastics - Student Guide


Microplastics Activities for Community Settings

These three activities are adapted from “The Problem with Microplastics” lesson and are appropriate for use in community and informal education settings. They are designed to be engaging for a variety of learners and are easy to implement with groups or individuals.  Each activity takes approximately 15 minutes. The Facilitator Prep Instructions includes information about how to prepare for the activities.

Facilitator Prep Instructions

Activity 1: Are microplastics found in the human body?

ACTIVITY 1 instructions
Sampling Protocol handout

Activity 2: How do microplastics get into the brain?

ACTIVITY 2 instructions
Human Body Model handout

Activity 3: Microplastics Messaging

Activity 3 instructions